Franklin beer board suspends Tin Roof 2's beer permit, sets $2,500 fine

The City of Franklin Beer Board voted Sept. 18 to suspend the beer permit for Tin Roof 2 for three weeks, setting the suspension to begin Oct. 10 and imposing a $2,500 fine.

The city's presentation centered on a 2024 undercover operation compiled by Master Patrol Officer Clint Buchanan, who told the board undercover officers observed multiple visibly intoxicated patrons being served and that a grand jury returned indictments related to those events. Buchanan said the CAD (computer-aided-dispatch) reports showed about 95 calls for service tied to Tin Roof 2 in the last year, a figure he called "extremely high." Chief Deb Faulkner also highlighted rising DUI and alcohol-related crash statistics for the city as a reason to act. "In 2024, we reported 157 DUI arrests to the TBI," the chief told the board.

Defense counsel Steve Meisner and owners Jason Shear and Kyle McPhee disputed the city's evidence and procedure, arguing the defense did not receive certain records in advance and that many of the police-initiated calls were proactive extra-patrol entries rather than citizen complaints. McPhee said Tin Roof 2 is a 20-year local business and listed charitable work, including raising "220,000 for the Troy Gentry Foundation." Meisner urged remediation over revocation, noting the impact on staff and community ties.

After questions and closing remarks, Alderman Barnhill moved for a three-week suspension and a $2,500 fine, a motion the board amended to set the suspension start date to Oct. 10 and then approved with Barnhill, Alderman Caesar and the chair voting yes. The board did not prescribe additional conditions beyond the penalty but recorded that parties may propose remediation steps later in follow-up filings.

The board's formal action reads as a municipal disciplinary sanction under the city code sections cited by the city attorney in the show-cause order. The board's minutes show both the city's public-safety rationale and the permit holders' objections will be part of the permanent record as permitted by the quasijudicial hearing process.